Folding picnic table



Nov. 16, 1948. J. PIERlK 2,454,202

FOLDING PICNIC TABLE.

Filed June 11, 1945 IN VEN TOR. Jim/v /E/?// Patented Nov. 16, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FOLDING PICNIC TABLE John Pierik, Indianapolis, Ind.

Application June 11, 1945, Serial No. 598,845

1 Claim. 1

The object of my invention is to produce a foldable table structure convenient for transportation and easy erection.

The accompanying drawing illustrates an embcdiment of my invention.

In the drawing I I) indicates a main pole to which, at table height from one end, are hinged, at II, three or more arms I2, I2, I2 swingable either into parallelism with pole IEI or into horizontal positions radiating from pole I0.

Hinged at I3 to each arm I2, is a leg I4 which, when extended, will serve to support its legin horizontal position. Each arm I2 may conveniently be of channel form so as to permit nesting of leg I4 therein when the arm is swung into parallelism with the pole Ill.

In order to hold arms I2, I2, in extended position I provide a locking collar I5 removably sleeved over the upper part of pole I6 and held in arm-bracing position by pin I6 which may be radially removable from pole II].

Sleevable over the upper erid of pole ID is a fabric table top I! having a perimeter corresponding to the outline defined by the outer ends of arms I2 when extended. Top I! at its outer edge is provided with a valance I8 having pockets I9 for the reception of drinking glasses, cutlery. etc. Valance I8 is also provided with grommets 26 adapted, by stretching top H, to receive pins 2% carried at the outer ends of arms I2, the arrangement being such that top II, when so tautened, may serve as a support for food, etc.

Post IOmay conveniently be a metal pipe into the upper end of which may be telescoped the stem of a lawn umbrella.

To produce a stable structure there should be at least 3 arms I2 but more may be provided if desired.

I claim as my invention:

A table comprising a central standard havin a base, a plurality of arms, hinge means for each of said arms, each hinge means connecting one end of-its associated arm to said standard for swinging movement of the other end of such arm toward and away from said base, each such arm lying substantially parallel with said stand ard when its said other end is most remote from said base and substantially perpendicular with said standard when its said other end is nearest said base, a leg for each arm, each leg being pivotally connected to its associated arm near said other end of the latter for swinging movement, about an axis substantially parallel with the axis of said hinge means for such arm, each leg being swingable, when its associated arm is substantially perpendicular to said standard, into a position. inclined downwardly and outwardly from said standard to support said arm, means slidably mounted on said standard and engageable with the upper surfaces of said arms, when said arms are substantially perpendicular to said standard, to restrain said arms against movement of said other ends thereof away from said base, a top element having a central opening therein sleevable over said standard to overlie said arms and said slidably mounted means, and means for connecting said top element to said arms near said other ends thereof.

JOHN PIERIK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 196,723 Sundquist Oct, 30, 1877 498,487 Phillips May 30, 1893 514,851 Hiser Feb. 13, 1894 1,373,665 Lozon Apr. 5, 1921 2,039,805 Knight May 5, 1936 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 163,509 Great Britain May 26, 1921 

